Chelsea are set to play Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the first leg of the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.
In a repeat of the 2020-21 Champions League semi-finals, Chelsea and Real Madrid now lock horns in the last eight of this year’s competition, with the first leg taking place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Thomas Tuchel’s side made it past Ligue 1 champions Lille 4-1 on aggregate to book their spot in the quarters, while Carlo Ancelotti’s men produced a phenomenal comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea have to put in a much-improved performance on Wednesday night against the might of Real Madrid following a humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to Brentford on Saturday. The visitors are running away with the La Liga title and have the Champions League in their sights after knocking out PSG in the last round.
Form guide: Chelsea
Chelsea come into this game on the back of a 4-1 loss to Thomas Frank’s Brentford in the English Premier League. A second-half brace from German midfielder Vitaly Janelt and goals from Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen and DR Congo international Yoane Wissa secured the win for Brentford. German center-back Antonio Rudiger scored the consolation goal for Chelsea.
Seeing their six-game unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end in such bitterly disappointing fashion is not what the doctor ordered before a meeting with Real Madrid.
The Blues’ defense was breached at will by Brentford at the weekend, but Tuchel’s side enter the first leg having won each of their last five home games in the Champions League with five clean sheets to boot, with the first game in that sequence coming against their Spanish capital counterparts.
Form Guide: Real Madrid
Real Madrid, on the other hand, beat Eduardo Coudet’s Celta Vigo 2-1 in La Liga. A brace from experienced French striker Karim Benzema sealed the deal for Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid. Former Manchester City and Sevilla forward Nolito scored the consolation goal for Celta Vigo.
Real Madrid will certainly have revenge on their mind as their hope for Champions League number 14 last season was halted by Chelsea at the semi-final stage. To go with, Los Blancos will have a lot of confidence going into this game. Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked down and out in the Champions League last 16, losing 2-0 on aggregate with 30 minutes left in the tie but a Karim Benzema hat-trick helped them turn things around and dump Paris Saint-Germain out.
How the match could go
Chelsea are unbeaten in their five competitive games against Real Madrid, including the aforementioned semi-final tie last season with the Blues drawing in Madrid before picking up a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have a lot going on right now, and the loss to Brentford does not help. Their strength and depth mean that they will be among the favorites to retain the Champions League trophy.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, conquered Paris Saint-Germain in the last round. Karim Benzema has often single-handedly made the difference this season for Los Blancos, and Carlo Ancelotti’s men look a different side without the Frenchman leading the line.
Betting Predictions
Both teams to score (Yes)
There is a very good chance that we will be treated to goals at both ends of the Stamford Bridge pitch on Wednesday as three of the last four meetings between Chelsea and Real Madrid, in all competitions, have ended the very same way. Three of Chelsea’s and three of Real Madrid’s last five outings in all competitions have also ended with both teams getting on the scoreboard, adding further weight to our prediction. Bet9ja have 1.90, 1xbet have 1.98 and Paripesa have 1.98 odds.
Chelsea to win
Keeping clean sheets at home in the Champions League has not been an issue for Chelsea, but shipping four to Brentford before being faced with a prolific veteran in Benzema spells danger for the Blues’ backline. Chelsea are surely going to have this one tough but they have an upper hand when it comes to consistency this season. A close match, but Real Madrid has not been consistent this season under Ancelotti. We are predicting a narrow win for Chelsea. Bet9ja have 2.07 odds, Paripesa have 2.12 and 1xbet have 2.12 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Real Madrid)
Benzema
Real Madrid’s aging forward has netted eight times in the Champions League this season and has already equaled his best-ever goal-scoring season for Madrid, having scored 24-goals in 26 appearances in La Liga. Benzema, 34, scored a hat trick in the last round against PSG, knocking the French side out of the competition, so you can see why we’re backing the former French international to score on Wednesday night. Bet9ja have 3.20 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.75.
Anytime Goalscorer (Chelsea)
Pulisic
Christian Pulisic was a late return from international duty and did not take part against Brentford, but the USA international is expected to come into contention here and will certainly put Timo Werner’s spot on the left at risk. He would be very dangerous on the wings and could cause Madrid a lot of trouble. Bet9ja have 4.20 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.75.
Werner
Timo Werner might be on the fringes of this team but he would provide a tactical advantage for Tuchel’s side against Madrid. Although he has been good in patches, he has struggled in front of the goal. He is quick off the blocks and has the skills to reach the opposition half quickly. He would be using his speed to his advantage which is why we have included him here. Bet9ja have 4.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.55.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
